It sounds like the beginning of a joke in need of a punchline. But in fact, it’s the rich and famous gathering for a weekend in Las Vegas to benefit The Tiger Woods Foundation. This particular event was ‘Poker Night,’ a $10,000 buy-in tournament.

But for Dallas Mavericks owner Cuban (and Paul, his primary target in free agency), the stakes are, of course, higher.

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t allowed to venture into recruiting Chris Paul or any other 2013 NBA free agents until midnight, July 1.

But that doesn’t mean the rich and famous can’t rub elbows for a good cause.

Tiger Woods and skier girlfriend Lindsey Vonn are the hosts this weekend at his annual “Tiger Jam.” The photo is from “Poker Night” at Moorea Beach Club Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It’s a $10,000 buy-in poker tournament that benefits The Tiger Woods Foundation … and of course, that 10 grand fee keeps the riff-raff out.

And invites the likes of Cuban and Paul in.

DallasBasketball.com reported last week that Paul is the Mavs’ No. 1 target (with Dwight Howard No. 2) in free agency this summer. Paul can re-sign with the Clippers for five years and $107,343,500 or can join a new team like Dallas for four years and $79,714,196.

The Mavs have gained and retained cap room for the last two years for the pursuit of a player of Paul’s level to team with Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki himself is fully invested in the recruiting process. Meanwhile, as improbable as it seems, In this space, we have revealed some of the Mavs’ thinking when it comes to ways to acquire Paul AND Howard . But again, acquiring one superstar is challenge enough, especially when it means he is guaranteed $27 mil less to leave his existing team.

It’s all a gamble of sorts — pun intended — and one that cannot officially begin until July 1. But nothing precludes the parties from doing good deeds for charity.

Mike Fisher is an award-winning newspaper journalist, the author of two regional best-selling books (with forwards written by Jerry Jones and Troy Aikman), a popular public speaker and a radio-and-TV personality with 20 years of experience...